Our Easiest (And Most Delicious!) Banana Bread Is Prepped In Just 20 Minutes

Is there any greater pain than throwing away a too-ripe banana because it's just too brown to eat as a snack? The most ingenious home cooks know that saving even the mushiest bananas could parlay into a delicious breakfast or out-of-this-world sweet treat. Ripe and overripe bananas are best harnessed in classic baking recipes for sweet pies, puddings, and cakes, but they also make for the perfect better-for-you breakfast options, including banana breads, muffins, pancakes, and waffles. Nearly all of these recipes are vegetarian friendly, and a few can be a tasty addition to a vegan routine.

If you're looking to enjoy a flavorful dessert or a sweet breakfast, bananas are a nutritious base for wholesome baking and cooking at home. Upon first glance, dieters might be turned off by their higher calorie and carbohydrate counts compared to other fruits — but they're loaded with essential nutrients that might be lacking elsewhere in your diet. They're quite high in potassium and magnesium, which are two nutrients that can help massage your arteries and lower your blood pressure, and pack a fibrous punch to any baked good (a win-win!). Bananas can be folded into other healthy ingredients (like veggies such as carrots or alternative flours and dark chocolate) to make healthier recipes on a regular basis.

Bananas also are one of the easiest ingredients to work with for new bakers who are attempting making bread, muffins, cupcakes, pies, or frozen treats for the very first time. You can experiment in the kitchen with one of these easy banana recipes and revel in your success when you pull off a tantalizing sweet treat, even if all you did was simply prep, stir, and set.